If you know or think you are suffering from inflammation, have hope! In Your Body Can Talk, 2nd Edition, there are over 100 natural, noninvasive self-care measures (pages 324–325) that you could explore to assist you in overcoming inflammation. You may also want to reference Chapter 7 in Your Aging Body Can Talk, which is entirely devoted to the topic of inflammation.

What are the signs of inflammation?

The classic signs of inflammation have been known since at least 30 BCE and were described in ancient Latin texts:

• Redness
• Heat or Warmth
• Swelling
• Pain

Inflammation is the preliminary stage for many types of disorders, health conditions, and diseases, as well as digestive disorders of every type — including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, gluten intolerance, and general nonspecific abdominal discomfort.

Most of these are related to a digestive disorder called Leaky Gut Syndrome. When the delicate lining of the intestinal tract has been damaged, it works more like a funnel, allowing a chaotic free flow of inflammatory factors into your bloodstream.

Where inflammation shows up

Respiratory: Asthma, sinus problems, shortness of breath, frequent coughing and throat-clearing are all inflammatory conditions.

Brain and nervous system: Inflammation of the brain is implicated in autism, multiple sclerosis, confusion, dementia, depression, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, and schizophrenia.

Skin: Acne, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin patches, rashes, rosacea, and hair loss can all reflect internal inflammation.

Autoimmune diseases — including asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes type II, fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis — can all be traced back to chronic inflammation.

Did the inflammation cause the disorder, or did the disorder cause the inflammation? The answer is yes and yes to both. The inflammation predicates the disorder, and the disorder contributes to long-term inflammation.

What you can do

The first consideration is to only feed and nourish your body with the highest-quality natural and organic, non-GMO foods, beverages, nutrients, and herbs you can acquire. Avoiding all processed foods is a must.

Foods to avoid or limit:

• Milled flour, especially gluten-containing flour
• Corn (whole or flour) — typically inflammatory and often genetically modified
• Vegetable oils — heat-processed, often refined with chemical solvents
• Alcohol, caffeine, all processed sugars, sodas, and sweet beverages
• Food additives and preservatives

Anti-inflammatory foods to add:

• An abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, ideally organic — choose a variety of colors
• Raw and natural nuts and seeds (walnuts, cashews, almonds) — note that roasted nuts in cans are inflammatory
• Amaranth and quinoa — gluten-free seeds cooked like rice
• Sesame seeds and flax seeds — soak and add to smoothies, salads, or main dishes
• Turmeric — add to many recipes as an anti-inflammatory cooking spice

In the kitchen, check with your natural healthcare practitioner about specific herbs, vitamins, minerals, and essential oils. When you refer to page 324 in Your Body Can Talk, 2nd Edition, you will find many specific anti-inflammation recommendations.

What Is Candida?

Candida is a type of yeast or fungal organism. Candida albicans is the most common type to affect humans — an opportunist looking for a comfortable place to take up residence in warm, moist protected areas such as the intestinal tract, vaginal tract, and skin folds.

Candida is looking for food sources and physical protection. It loves and thrives on sugar. When Candida organisms get hungry, they may actually influence your food selection preferences — cravings for sweets, sugar, bread, and even alcohol can be augmented by its presence.

How Candida Becomes a Whole-Body Infection

In most cases, Candida permeates the entire gastrointestinal system. Your digestive system interfaces with your nervous system, hormonal system, and circulatory system. Candida also compromises immune function. Dysbiosis (digestive dysfunction caused by Candida) contributes to brain fog, confusion, depression, addictive behaviors, and emotional irritability.

Think of Candida like bread mold — the visible growth has hidden roots (called mycelia) spreading far beneath the surface. Similarly, Candida plants itself in the soft tissues of the intestinal tract, particularly the small intestine, and spreads systemically from there.

"When patients come to me with toenail fungus, I explain: you are seeing it at the toenail, but imagine the fungal infection spilled out from your intestinal tract." — Dr. Susan L. Levy

Environmental Candida: Your Home and Office

Wet and damp conditions — leaks, water damage, poorly dried fabrics and carpeting — propagate fungi easily breathed into the lungs. Be proactive about checking for leaks and mold. HVAC systems can harbor Candida at dramatically elevated levels following any water event.

How to Conquer Candida: Step by Step

Step 1: Stop feeding the beast

Avoid all refined sugars: sucrose, dextrose, fructose, maltose, corn syrup, high-fructose corn sweetener, and alcoholic beverages. Avoid artificial sweeteners, which overtax the liver. Limit starchy vegetables and milled flour products.

Step 2: Limit inflammatory foods

Avoid wheat (often hybridized or GMO) and peanuts (which may contain aflatoxin, a fungal toxin). Sprouting your grains improves digestibility. Consider a food sensitivity test through Clinical Kinesiology to determine what your body is truly compatible with.

Step 3: Nurture your microbiome

The 7 verified resident strains of beneficial bacteria to welcome are: L. acidophilus, L. salivarius, B. bifidum, B. infantis, B. longum, S. faecalis, S. faecium. Eat prebiotic foods — greens, berries, beans, gluten-free grains — to give your beneficial bacteria sustenance.

Step 4: Add anti-candida herbs and nutrients

• Pau d'arco (organic) — traditional Candida fighter, used as tincture or tea
• Garlic, echinacea, olive leaf extract
• Essential oils: clove, oregano, tea tree oil, lavender, thyme (topical or internal except tea tree)
• Citrus seed extract, colostrum, colloidal silver, caprylic acid

Step 5: Rebuild with fermented foods

If your system is accustomed to fermented foods (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut), continue including them. If not, introduce gradually once Candida has been significantly diminished. Use food compatibility testing to guide this process.

Common Symptoms by Body System

Note: Antibiotic use, corticosteroids, birth control pills, and pregnancy can all increase susceptibility to Candida overgrowth.

Your 15-Point Plan for Preventing Bone Loss

Achieving restful and restorative sleep is a struggle for many people. The first step is to scrutinize your lifestyle.

Your Environment

Keeping your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool is essential. Examine these factors stringently — small changes often make a larger difference than expected.

Screen Time

Limiting screen time in the evening can significantly help your sleep. Dr. Levy suggests stopping all interfacing with electronics approximately four hours before bedtime. After evaluating that for several weeks, you can then experiment with different time patterns.

One patient discovered that watching news and weather for a half-hour on a large screen TV — even from a distance — had a more sleep-disruptive effect than she imagined it would.

Microwave Ovens

Dr. Levy has observed a correlation between frequent microwave use and the worst sleep problems among her patients. She does not have a microwave in her own home and avoids foods cooked or warmed in one. She suggests unplugging your microwave for several weeks as an experiment to evaluate the effects on your health and sleep.

Diet and Sleep

Eating a high proportion of fresh fruits and vegetables and omitting processed foods lays the foundation for good health generally, and allows your body to unwind and rest more easily. Many processed foods — especially those with preservatives and food additives — are neuro-excitatory and may cause overconsumption.

Caffeine and theobromine sensitivity is highly variable but commonly underestimated. Green tea, black tea, and chocolate consumed after 2 or 3 PM can delete a full night's sleep for sensitive individuals. You may have a similar issue without being aware of it.

Supplemental Support

For some people, taking an adrenal-supporting supplement in the morning can be helpful. Dr. Levy can test you using Clinical Kinesiology to determine which formula would be most appropriate. Numerous supplements, herbs, and homeopathics can be implemented — but the best first step is to repair the lifestyle, then make these additions.

Numerous medications stop or disrupt sleep, including pain relievers, antidepressants, and thyroid medication. See page 337 in Your Body Can Talk, 2nd Edition. Also check Drugs.com or ask your pharmacist.

Did you know there are more bacteria in the intestines than stars in the sky? Beneficial gut bacteria manufacture vitamins, detoxify environmental chemicals, and help metabolize hormones. Unfriendly organisms, on the other hand, can produce toxic byproducts including carcinogens. Encouraging beneficial bacteria through fermented foods is one of the simplest and most powerful things you can do for your health.

A Long History

Fermentation is one of the oldest and most economical methods of food preservation. In almost every culture, at least one fermented food still exists as part of the traditional diet. A dentist named Weston A. Price noticed the value of fermented foods as early as the 1930s — one of the common traits among vibrant, healthy non-industrialized societies worldwide was that they all consumed fermented food daily.

What Is Fermentation?

Fermentation is essentially the predigesting of a food. Lactic-acid-producing bacteria break down complex components, enhance enzymatic activity, naturally preserve the food, inhibit growth of unfavorable bacteria, and improve nutritional value and digestibility.

Fermented Food Options

• Amasake — an unrefined, sweet cultured Japanese mixture of water and sweet rice, fermented with koji bacteria. Can sweeten baked goods or be enjoyed as a warm or cold drink.
• Apple Cider Vinegar (raw, unfiltered) — fights harmful yeast overgrowth. Use in dressings, sauces, and marinades.
• Fermented Dairy: yogurt, buttermilk, kefir, cultured butter, some cheeses. These are more easily digested than plain milk — lactose is converted to lactic acid, and casein is partially broken down.
• Fermented Soy: tempeh, miso, soy sauce, tamari. Use miso in soups and sauces — add during the last minutes of cooking to preserve beneficial microorganisms.
• Raw Cultured Vegetables: sauerkraut and other lacto-fermented vegetables. These are easy to make at home using the bacteria naturally present on the vegetables.
• Others: brown rice vinegar, umeboshi, Kombucha, natto, sourdough bread.

Lacto-fermented foods should be eaten in small quantities, more like condiments. If a fermented food smells or tastes repugnant, do not consume it.

What Destroys Beneficial Bacteria?

The good bacteria in your gut are sensitive and easily destroyed by:

• Poor diet — sugar, white flour, junk food
• Alcohol and smoking
• Prescription medications and antibiotics (including antibiotics in commercial animal products)
• Chemicals — chlorine in water, pesticides in food
• Chronic stress

How Much Should You Eat?

If you have robust health and good daily elimination, your beneficial colonies are likely in balance. Aim for a serving of fermented food daily alongside a whole-foods diet. If you're often sick, have taken antibiotics frequently, or are under significant stress, consider more than one serving per day and/or a comprehensive probiotic supplement.

"Consuming fermented foods on a regular basis will not only provide better nutrition, but will enhance your inner ecology, which will heighten overall health. Not all bacteria are bad. Go proliferate the good!" — Jen Allbritton, CN

Cold vs. Flu: How to Tell the Difference

Historical Flu Epidemics

Annual flu epidemics kill 250,000–500,000 people each year and cause severe illness in 3–5 million. New strains jumping from animals to humans can be even more devastating, as the global population has no prior immunity.

• 1918 "Spanish Flu" (H1N1) — killed 20–50 million worldwide. Unusually lethal in young adults. Origins still unknown.
• 1957–58 "Asian Flu" (H2N2) — roughly 2 million deaths worldwide. Emerged when a human H2N2 strain combined with a mutant duck strain.
• 1968–69 "Hong Kong Flu" (H3N2) — killed approximately 1 million globally. H3N2 viruses still circulate today.
• 1976 "Swine Flu" — the vaccine campaign caused over 450 cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder.
• 1997 "Bird Flu" (H5N1) — first flu virus found to spread directly from birds to people. The WHO has recorded 598 cases since 2003 with 352 deaths.
• 2009 "Swine Flu" (H1N1) — originated in Mexico. A combination of Eurasian swine flu with a mix of bird, swine, and human flu viruses. Killed more than 18,000 worldwide.

Your digestive system chemistry lab was designed to function perfectly, and it usually will — if you follow common sense and natural health principles.

These are helpful recommendations for bladder irritation and infection. Always work with your healthcare practitioner to determine what is most appropriate for your individual situation.

Wouldn't it be nice if you could transform a simple, frequent activity in your routine into a genuine health benefit? If you can turn the hot and cold water controls on your shower or bathtub, you can support your circulatory system, respiratory system, immune function, and energy level — for free, every day.

A Brief History of Hydrotherapy

Changing up the water temperature from warm or hot to cool or cold provides notable health benefits that have been recorded over the centuries. Throughout most of history, bathing was accomplished with lake or stream water, and the concept of intentionally alternating between hot and cold water for therapeutic purposes was widely accepted in ancient public bathhouses.

By the late 1700s, these observations had grown into the science and practice of hydrotherapy. Sebastian Anton Kneipp (1821–1897), a Bavarian priest who credited cold water plunges in the Danube River with curing his own tuberculosis, became one of its most celebrated pioneers. His book, My Water Cure, first published in 1886, became a foundational resource for Nature Therapy doctors across Europe.

Dr. John Henry Kellogg (1852–1943) later researched and documented hydrotherapeutic protocols for countless health conditions. This tradition of structured water therapy continues in naturopathic and integrative medicine today.

Why It Works

Alternating between hot and cold water causes your blood vessels to alternately dilate and constrict — a kind of vascular exercise. This can:

• Improve circulation and blood vessel flexibility
• Help prevent or delay arteriosclerotic buildup
• Tone the cardiovascular system
• Support immune function
• Increase energy and reduce fatigue
• Assist lymphatic drainage

How to Start

Dr. Levy's recommended approach for beginners — adjust based on your own comfort and health status:

"Begin slowly, then add to your experience, and nudge yourself forward to the edge of your tolerance as you feel is possible." — Dr. Susan L. Levy

Important Notes

If you have a cardiac or cardiovascular condition, consult your healthcare practitioner before beginning contrast hydrotherapy. Extreme cold plunges are an advanced practice — not recommended for those who haven't trained toward them. The gentle alternating approach described above is appropriate for most people and provides meaningful benefit without extremes.

Dr. Levy personally practices contrast hydrotherapy and has experienced the invigoration of alternating between the 104° hot springs pool in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and rolling in the nearby snow.

The human body was designed to be in motion, with appropriate rest periods. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to poor posture, diminished lung capacity, flabby muscles, hormonal imbalances, sluggish digestion, and many other conditions — most of which can be directly countered by simply walking.

What Walking Does for Your Body

• Heart & Circulation: Helps your heart pump more efficiently, circulating fresh blood and oxygen to all cells. Lowers high blood pressure, improves stamina.
• Brain & Cognition: Improves blood flow to the brain, enhancing memory and cognitive function, reducing cognitive decline, and supporting neurotransmitter production.
• Mood & Stress: Improved neurotransmitter flow reduces stress, averts anxiety, and assists with mood imbalances. Regular walkers report less fatigue and greater productivity.
• Strength & Balance: Walking builds muscle strength and improves balance, reducing the risk of falls — especially important as we age.
• Blood Sugar: Regular walking can improve blood sugar metabolism and reduce the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.

NEAT: The Science Behind Movement

Dr. James A. Levine, M.D. coined the term Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) — the energy expended in all activities that are not sleeping, eating, or formal exercise. His research demonstrates that low-level, frequent movement throughout the day has a profound impact on metabolism and health, independent of dedicated exercise sessions. His book, GET UP!, is referenced in Your Aging Body Can Talk, pages 36+, in the chapter "Move It and Preserve It."

Dr. Levy's Recommendation

In addition to physically walking, Dr. Levy recommends walking with conscious intention — directing your awareness toward a particular organ, meridian, or body area that needs support as you move. This integrative approach combines physical activity with the energetic awareness central to Clinical Kinesiology practice.

The liver plays a crucial role in keeping all of the body's systems balanced and maintained. Unlike the kidneys (which can be supported by dialysis) or the lungs (which can be assisted by a ventilator), there is no mechanical substitute for liver function. Each year, approximately 2,000 people in the United States experience liver failure — around half of those cases are a direct result of medications.

Close to 1,000 medicines, drugs, and herbs are known to be capable of injuring the liver. The following ten are among the most significant:

Artificial sweeteners were initially designed as sugar substitutes to help with weight management. The results have been the opposite — obesity rates have worsened, and these substances may in fact be toxic.

Five artificial sweeteners are currently approved for consumer use: saccharin, neotame, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, and sucralose. Of these, sucralose and aspartame are the most widespread and most concerning.

1. Sucralose (Splenda)

Sucralose is essentially denatured sucrose. Its preparation involves chlorinating sucrose — chemically altering sugar molecules by substituting three chlorine atoms for three hydroxyl groups. Chlorine is a known carcinogen. There have been no long-range studies of sucralose's effects on the human body. Pre-approval research indicated possible toxicity, yet it was approved nonetheless.

2. Aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet)

Found in thousands of everyday products — yogurt, sodas, pudding, chewing gum, bread, tabletop sweeteners. According to independent researchers, aspartame accounts for approximately 80% of all food additive complaints to the FDA. In a report from Flying Safety, an official U.S. Air Force publication, pilots were warned not to consume aspartame in any amount — citing it as a possible cause of brain tumors, mental retardation, birth defects, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.

How to Eliminate These from Your Diet

Check food labels and avoid anything containing:

• Aspartame
• Acesulfame Potassium (K)
• Saccharin or Sucralose
• NutraSweet®
• Splenda®

Avoid all products labeled "low calorie," "diet," "sugar free," or "no sugar added" — these almost always contain artificial sweeteners. Use natural sweeteners like raw, organic honey instead. Drink purified water rather than diet beverages. Do not rely on tap water, which has been found to be contaminated with sucralose in some studies.

Studies have linked coffee with cancer of the bladder, rectum, pancreas, colon, ovaries, prostate, and breast. Even a single cup raises the stomach temperature by 10–15 degrees, places measurable stress on the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and adrenal glands, and narrows blood vessels in the brain. Many doctors now find coffee — along with its pesticide content — to be a dangerous stressor to multiple organ systems.

16 Conditions Worsened by Caffeine

Caffeine Content Reference Chart

What to Drink Instead

• Filtered or spring water — plain, or with fresh lemon or lime
• True herbal teas (caffeine-free)
• Freshly extracted fruit or vegetable juice
• Homemade rice milk, almond milk, oat milk
• Health smoothies (filtered water or nut milk base, fresh fruit, protein powder, ground nuts or seeds)
• Apple Cider Vinegar Drink: 2 Tbsp raw ACV + 1 Tbsp raw honey in a cup of hot water
• Roasted grain beverages: Teeccino, Kaffree Roma, Pero, Postum, Bambu
• Dacopa (roasted dahlia root)

This series of twelve monthly newsletters forms one cohesive layer of Dr. Levy's six-year newsletter curriculum. Each newsletter stands alone as a useful health reference, and together they build a comprehensive picture of their year's theme.

Dr. Levy recommends reading these newsletters in conjunction with her books Your Body Can Talk, 2nd Edition and Your Aging Body Can Talk, which provide the foundational framework for understanding the topics discussed.

All Twelve Newsletters

This series of twelve monthly newsletters forms one cohesive layer of Dr. Levy's six-year newsletter curriculum. Each newsletter stands alone as a useful health reference, and together they build a comprehensive picture of their year's theme.

Dr. Levy recommends reading these newsletters in conjunction with her books Your Body Can Talk, 2nd Edition and Your Aging Body Can Talk, which provide the foundational framework for understanding the topics discussed.

All Twelve Newsletters

This series of twelve monthly newsletters forms one cohesive layer of Dr. Levy's six-year newsletter curriculum. Each newsletter stands alone as a useful health reference, and together they build a comprehensive picture of their year's theme.

Dr. Levy recommends reading these newsletters in conjunction with her books Your Body Can Talk, 2nd Edition and Your Aging Body Can Talk, which provide the foundational framework for understanding the topics discussed.

All Twelve Newsletters

This series of twelve monthly newsletters forms one cohesive layer of Dr. Levy's six-year newsletter curriculum. Each newsletter stands alone as a useful health reference, and together they build a comprehensive picture of their year's theme.

Dr. Levy recommends reading these newsletters in conjunction with her books Your Body Can Talk, 2nd Edition and Your Aging Body Can Talk, which provide the foundational framework for understanding the topics discussed.

All Twelve Newsletters

This series of twelve monthly newsletters forms one cohesive layer of Dr. Levy's six-year newsletter curriculum. Each newsletter stands alone as a useful health reference, and together they build a comprehensive picture of their year's theme.

Dr. Levy recommends reading these newsletters in conjunction with her books Your Body Can Talk, 2nd Edition and Your Aging Body Can Talk, which provide the foundational framework for understanding the topics discussed.

All Twelve Newsletters

This guide is built on more than 30 years of research and clinical experience with the Lung Meridian. It is designed as a practical starting point -- select the steps that resonate with your lifestyle and begin incorporating them one at a time.

For a deeper understanding, revisit the foundational anatomy and physiology content, the emotional dimension, and the specific health condition addressed in earlier newsletters in this collection -- all for this same meridian.

Daily Affirmations

Read these aloud each morning while focusing your attention on your Lung:

Foods and Doctrine of Signatures

The Doctrine of Signatures is a centuries-old observation that plants and foods resembling a body organ often support that organ's health.

Doctrine of Signatures: Lung: Usnea (old man's beard), grapes, pomegranates -- round or cluster forms echoing the alveolar sacs of the lungs.

Culinary herbs to incorporate: Cayenne, garlic, horseradish, lavender, licorice, marjoram, onion, oregano, parsley, sage, thyme, turmeric

Herbal teas to support your Lung: Khella, lobelia, marshmallow, slippery elm, turmeric, usnea

Healing juices: Watercress, turnip greens, apricot

Nutritional Supplement Support

Dr. Levy recommends the following Standard Process supplements for Lung support. Clinical Kinesiology muscle testing can confirm which formulas are most needed in your individual case:

Pneumotrophin PMG, ResCo, Allerplex

Lifestyle Additions

Onion poultice DIY for chest congestion, homemade hand sanitizer, deep breathing practice daily, garden-grown herbs for lung support

Medications and Lifestyle Errors to Avoid

Drugs to avoid for Lung health: Amiodarone, bleomycin, lisinopril, methotrexate, nitrofurantoin, statins, nasal decongestants

Lifestyle errors: Smoking and vaping, face masks worn excessively, constrictive clothing, insufficient deep breathing, exposure to mold and indoor air pollutants

Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications. This information is for educational purposes.

Healthy Aspiration: Honesty

Honesty is foundational to clear communication, authentic relationships, and personal integrity. It requires courage to see ourselves and our circumstances truthfully, and to speak that truth with kindness. Dr. Levy encourages readers to practice honesty with themselves first -- about their health habits, their emotional patterns, and the lifestyle choices that either support or undermine their wellbeing.

"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." — Thomas Jefferson

"The truth is rarely pure and never simple." — Oscar Wilde

"No legacy is so rich as honesty." — William Shakespeare

This guide is built on more than 30 years of research and clinical experience with the Large Intestine Meridian. It is designed as a practical starting point -- select the steps that resonate with your lifestyle and begin incorporating them one at a time.

For a deeper understanding, revisit the foundational anatomy and physiology content, the emotional dimension, and the specific health condition addressed in earlier newsletters in this collection -- all for this same meridian.

Daily Affirmations

Read these aloud each morning while focusing your attention on your Large Intestine:

Foods and Doctrine of Signatures

The Doctrine of Signatures is a centuries-old observation that plants and foods resembling a body organ often support that organ's health.

Doctrine of Signatures: Yellow crook-neck squash, carrots, parsnips, burdock root, ginseng, dandelion -- elongated root forms echoing the large intestine's tubular structure.

Culinary herbs to incorporate: Basil, clove, cumin, dill, fennel, ginger, oregano

Herbal teas to support your Large Intestine: Aloe vera, chamomile, fennel, fenugreek, ginger, lavender, licorice

Healing juices: Apple, banana, barley grass, blueberry, cantaloupe, prune

Nutritional Supplement Support

Dr. Levy recommends the following Standard Process supplements for Large Intestine support. Clinical Kinesiology muscle testing can confirm which formulas are most needed in your individual case:

Zymex, Okra-Pepsin E3, Spanish Black Radish, Zypan

Lifestyle Additions

Enema as a DIY cleanse tool when needed, squatting position for elimination (use a stool under the feet), fiber-rich beans and legumes daily

Medications and Lifestyle Errors to Avoid

Drugs to avoid for Large Intestine health: Antacids, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antihypertensives, antipsychotics, bile acid sequestrants, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, iron supplements, opiates

Lifestyle errors: Ignoring the urge to eliminate, sitting for prolonged periods, eating while standing or rushed, insufficient fiber and hydration

Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications. This information is for educational purposes.

Healthy Aspiration: Commitment

Commitment means staying the course when motivation fades -- returning again and again to the practices, relationships, and values that matter most. In the context of health, commitment looks like consistent daily choices: drinking pure water, eating whole foods, moving your body, and honoring the signals your body sends you.

"Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes -- but no plans." — Peter Drucker

"There's no abiding success without commitment." — Anthony Robbins

"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence." — Vince Lombardi

This guide is built on more than 30 years of research and clinical experience with the Stomach Meridian. It is designed as a practical starting point -- select the steps that resonate with your lifestyle and begin incorporating them one at a time.

For a deeper understanding, revisit the foundational anatomy and physiology content, the emotional dimension, and the specific health condition addressed in earlier newsletters in this collection -- all for this same meridian.

Daily Affirmations

Read these aloud each morning while focusing your attention on your Stomach:

Foods and Doctrine of Signatures

The Doctrine of Signatures is a centuries-old observation that plants and foods resembling a body organ often support that organ's health.

Doctrine of Signatures: Winter squash varieties, ginger root, papaya -- round, sac-like forms echoing stomach anatomy.

Culinary herbs to incorporate: Cayenne, chamomile, cinnamon, cumin, dandelion, dill, fennel, ginger, peppermint

Herbal teas to support your Stomach: Aloe vera, chamomile, dandelion, fennel, fenugreek, ginger, licorice

Healing juices: Banana, cabbage, cantaloupe, collard, kale, okra, papaya, sauerkraut, watermelon

Nutritional Supplement Support

Dr. Levy recommends the following Standard Process supplements for Stomach support. Clinical Kinesiology muscle testing can confirm which formulas are most needed in your individual case:

Betaine HCl, Chlorophyll Complex, Gastrex, Okra-Pepsin E3, Zypan

Lifestyle Additions

Cabbage juice and sauerkraut for natural HCl support, papaya and aloe vera for mucosal healing, eating in a calm relaxed setting, chewing food thoroughly

Medications and Lifestyle Errors to Avoid

Drugs to avoid for Stomach health: Antacids, antibiotics, anticholinergic drugs, antidiarrheals, H2 blockers, iron supplements, NSAIDs

Lifestyle errors: Drinking ice cold water before or during meals, eating immediately before lying down, rushing meals, chronic use of antacids

Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications. This information is for educational purposes.

Healthy Aspiration: Integrity

Integrity is alignment -- between what you believe and what you do, between who you say you are and how you actually live. For Dr. Levy, integrity in health means following through on the lifestyle choices you know are right for your body, even when convenience, habit, or social pressure points in another direction.

"Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching." — C.S. Lewis

"Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not." — Oprah Winfrey

"The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity." — Dwight D. Eisenhower

This guide is built on more than 30 years of research and clinical experience with the Spleen-Pancreas Meridian. It is designed as a practical starting point -- select the steps that resonate with your lifestyle and begin incorporating them one at a time.

For a deeper understanding, revisit the foundational anatomy and physiology content, the emotional dimension, and the specific health condition addressed in earlier newsletters in this collection -- all for this same meridian.

Daily Affirmations

Read these aloud each morning while focusing your attention on your Spleen and Pancreas:

Foods and Doctrine of Signatures

The Doctrine of Signatures is a centuries-old observation that plants and foods resembling a body organ often support that organ's health.

Doctrine of Signatures: Beef steak fungus for the spleen; crookneck yellow squash and sweet potato for the pancreas -- shapes echoing organ anatomy.

Culinary herbs to incorporate: Basil, cinnamon, coriander, dandelion, dill, fennel, fenugreek, nutmeg

Herbal teas to support your Spleen and Pancreas: Dandelion, garlic, ginseng, goldenrod, hawthorn, nettles, Oregon grape, red clover, sarsaparilla

Healing juices: Cabbage, Jerusalem artichoke, mango, papaya, tomato, zucchini

Nutritional Supplement Support

Dr. Levy recommends the following Standard Process supplements for Spleen and Pancreas support. Clinical Kinesiology muscle testing can confirm which formulas are most needed in your individual case:

Cataplex GTF, Diaplex, Immuplex, Metabol Complex, Multizyme, Pancreatrophin PMG, Spleen Desiccated, Spleen PMG

Lifestyle Additions

Apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp in 8 oz water) before meals, vegetables as first course at every meal, a brief walk after eating, cinnamon essential oil for pancreas support, reading the comprehensive added sugar alias list

Medications and Lifestyle Errors to Avoid

Drugs to avoid for Spleen and Pancreas health: For pancreas: 5-ASA, ACE inhibitors, antibiotics, antidiabetic drugs, barbiturates, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, statins, valproic acid. For spleen: bevacizumab, chemotherapeutics, cocaine.

Lifestyle errors: Consuming protein bars with up to 32% added sugar, spiking blood sugar with refined carbohydrates, skipping meals, eating on the run

Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications. This information is for educational purposes.

Healthy Aspiration: Loyalty

Loyalty -- to people, values, and commitments -- is a cornerstone of trustworthy relationships and community. In health, loyalty means remaining faithful to the practices that serve your body over the long term, even when results are slow or invisible. It means loyalty to your future self.

"The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, is in its loyalty to each other." — Mario Puzo

"Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice." — Woodrow Wilson

"You don't earn loyalty in a day. You earn loyalty day by day." — Jeffrey Gitomer

This guide is built on more than 30 years of research and clinical experience with the Heart Meridian. It is designed as a practical starting point -- select the steps that resonate with your lifestyle and begin incorporating them one at a time.

For a deeper understanding, revisit the foundational anatomy and physiology content, the emotional dimension, and the specific health condition addressed in earlier newsletters in this collection -- all for this same meridian.

Daily Affirmations

Read these aloud each morning while focusing your attention on your Heart:

Foods and Doctrine of Signatures

The Doctrine of Signatures is a centuries-old observation that plants and foods resembling a body organ often support that organ's health.

Doctrine of Signatures: Acorn squash, beef steak fungus, red bell pepper, pomegranate, tomatoes -- red colors and heart-shaped forms.

Culinary herbs to incorporate: Cayenne, dandelion, garlic, ginger, jasmine, marjoram, onion, paprika, turmeric

Herbal teas to support your Heart: Cayenne, garlic, ginkgo, hawthorn, horsetail, motherwort, reishi mushroom, turmeric, yarrow

Healing juices: Apple, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, mango, papaya, pumpkin

Nutritional Supplement Support

Dr. Levy recommends the following Standard Process supplements for Heart support. Clinical Kinesiology muscle testing can confirm which formulas are most needed in your individual case:

Cardio-Plus, Cardiotrophin PMG, Cataplex B Core, Hawthorn

Lifestyle Additions

Hot and cold contrast showers for cardiovascular conditioning, Heart Sound Recording 1 to 2 times per year, seven strawberries daily for circulation and brain health, post-meal walks to normalize blood sugar

Medications and Lifestyle Errors to Avoid

Drugs to avoid for Heart health: Albuterol, NSAIDs, antiarrhythmics, anticancer agents, antidiabetic drugs, antifungals, antihypertensives, hematologic agents, ophthalmological drugs, pulmonary drugs, rheumatological and urological medications

Lifestyle errors: Erythritol (linked to increased heart attack and stroke risk), holding anger and resentment, sustained blood sugar elevation (directly damages cardiac and vascular tissue), insufficient movement

Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications. This information is for educational purposes.

Healthy Aspiration: Happiness

Happiness -- genuine, sustainable wellbeing -- is both a byproduct and a practice. Dr. Levy sees happiness not as a destination but as a direction: the cumulative result of small daily choices to nourish the body, process emotions honestly, connect with others authentically, and find meaning in ordinary moments.

"Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions." — Dalai Lama

"The secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes, but in liking what one does." — James M. Barrie

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." — Mahatma Gandhi

This guide is built on more than 30 years of research and clinical experience with the Small Intestine Meridian. It is designed as a practical starting point -- select the steps that resonate with your lifestyle and begin incorporating them one at a time.

For a deeper understanding, revisit the foundational anatomy and physiology content, the emotional dimension, and the specific health condition addressed in earlier newsletters in this collection -- all for this same meridian.

Daily Affirmations

Read these aloud each morning while focusing your attention on your Small Intestine:

Foods and Doctrine of Signatures

The Doctrine of Signatures is a centuries-old observation that plants and foods resembling a body organ often support that organ's health.

Doctrine of Signatures: Arame seaweed, green beans, hijiki seaweed, spaghetti squash, turmeric root -- long tubular and fibrous forms.

Culinary herbs to incorporate: Anise seed, basil, dill, ginger, lemongrass, marjoram, oregano, savory

Herbal teas to support your Small Intestine: Cat's claw, chamomile, goldenseal, lavender, licorice, loquat, pau d'arco, red clover, slippery elm

Healing juices: Cabbage, cantaloupe, okra, nectarine, sauerkraut, watermelon

Nutritional Supplement Support

Dr. Levy recommends the following Standard Process supplements for Small Intestine support. Clinical Kinesiology muscle testing can confirm which formulas are most needed in your individual case:

Cataplex C, Cyruta Plus, Gastrex, Lact-ENZ, Lactic Acid Yeast, Livaplex, Multizyme, Okra-Pepsin E3, Spanish Black Radish, Zymex, Zymex II

Lifestyle Additions

Amazonian Macambo beans for digestive support, home remedies for diarrhea, probiotic-rich fermented foods, Cataplex C for vitamin C complex support

Medications and Lifestyle Errors to Avoid

Drugs to avoid for Small Intestine health: NSAIDs, antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, glucosidase inhibitors, laxatives, lipase inhibitors, PPIs, SSRIs, tetracycline, cholestyramine, aluminum-containing antacids, Ozempic, Wegovy

Lifestyle errors: Sugar spikes (deteriorate the mucosal lining and contribute to leaky gut), antibiotic overuse, processed food consumption, skipping probiotic and prebiotic foods

Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications. This information is for educational purposes.

Healthy Aspiration: Compassion

Compassion -- for ourselves and for others -- softens the harsh edges of life and creates the conditions for healing. Self-compassion in health means approaching your body and its symptoms with curiosity rather than judgment, and extending that same gentle understanding to those around you.

"Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It's a relationship between equals." — Pema Chodron

"Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace." — Albert Schweitzer

"If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete." — Jack Kornfield

This guide is built on more than 30 years of research and clinical experience with the Bladder Meridian. It is designed as a practical starting point -- select the steps that resonate with your lifestyle and begin incorporating them one at a time.

For a deeper understanding, revisit the foundational anatomy and physiology content, the emotional dimension, and the specific health condition addressed in earlier newsletters in this collection -- all for this same meridian.

Daily Affirmations

Read these aloud each morning while focusing your attention on your Bladder:

Foods and Doctrine of Signatures

The Doctrine of Signatures is a centuries-old observation that plants and foods resembling a body organ often support that organ's health.

Doctrine of Signatures: Bladderwrack seaweed, tangerine -- shapes and bladder-like forms.

Culinary herbs to incorporate: Celery seed, horseradish, oregano, parsley, sage, spearmint, tarragon, thyme

Herbal teas to support your Bladder: Buchu, cranberry, goldenseal, gotu kola, milk thistle, nettle, oat straw, uva ursi

Healing juices: Blueberry, carrot, celery, cranberry, cucumber, parsley, spinach

Nutritional Supplement Support

Dr. Levy recommends the following Standard Process supplements for Bladder support. Clinical Kinesiology muscle testing can confirm which formulas are most needed in your individual case:

AC Carbamide, Arginex, Cal Amo, Cataplex C, Cranberry Complex, Spleen Desiccated, Spleen PMG

Lifestyle Additions

Healthy salts recommended: Celtic, Real Salt, Himalayan -- non-white color indicates mineral content. One cup of cooked beans daily shown to lower cholesterol 10 to 20%. Kegel exercises. Pelvic physiotherapy when needed.

Medications and Lifestyle Errors to Avoid

Drugs to avoid for Bladder health: Antidepressants, ketamine, and drugs causing incontinence or overactive bladder

Lifestyle errors: Artificial sweeteners (documented association with cancer), corn, canola, safflower, and vegetable oils, excessive sitting, insufficient standing and walking

Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications. This information is for educational purposes.

Healthy Aspiration: Honor

Honor is living in alignment with your highest values -- treating yourself and others with the dignity and respect that each person deserves. For Dr. Levy, honoring your body means taking its signals seriously, supporting its natural processes, and refusing to accept declining health as inevitable.

"Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not." — Oprah Winfrey

"The time is always right to do what is right." — Martin Luther King Jr.

"It is not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong; not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich." — Francis Bacon

This guide is built on more than 30 years of research and clinical experience with the Kidney Meridian. It is designed as a practical starting point -- select the steps that resonate with your lifestyle and begin incorporating them one at a time.

For a deeper understanding, revisit the foundational anatomy and physiology content, the emotional dimension, and the specific health condition addressed in earlier newsletters in this collection -- all for this same meridian.

Daily Affirmations

Read these aloud each morning while focusing your attention on your Kidney:

Foods and Doctrine of Signatures

The Doctrine of Signatures is a centuries-old observation that plants and foods resembling a body organ often support that organ's health.

Doctrine of Signatures: Kidney beans, button mushrooms, portobello mushrooms -- kidney-shaped and rounded forms.

Culinary herbs to incorporate: Fennel, juniper berry, lemongrass, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon

Herbal teas to support your Kidney: Burdock, dandelion, ginkgo, goldenrod, horsetail, marshmallow, red clover, uva ursi, white oak bark

Healing juices: Asparagus, beet, blueberry, carrot, cucumber, parsley

Nutritional Supplement Support

Dr. Levy recommends the following Standard Process supplements for Kidney support. Clinical Kinesiology muscle testing can confirm which formulas are most needed in your individual case:

A.C. Carbamide, Arginex, Cataplex A, Cataplex C, Cranberry Complex, Renafood, Renatrophin PMG

Lifestyle Additions

Measuring liquid intake and output, electrolyte replacement drink DIY, keeping the lower back warm in cold weather, foraging foods for kidney support, whole foods diet free of processed ingredients

Medications and Lifestyle Errors to Avoid

Drugs to avoid for Kidney health: NSAIDs, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, iodinated radiocontrast, vancomycin, aminoglycoside antibiotics, HIV medications, antivirals, zoledronic acid, calcineurin inhibitors, morphine, heroin, cocaine, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, PPIs, laxatives, cholesterol and diabetes medications

Lifestyle errors: Chilling the lower back in cold weather, cooking at high temperatures (denatures food and creates toxins), commercial white iodized salt, blood sugar elevation (directly linked to chronic kidney disease and kidney failure)

Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications. This information is for educational purposes.

Healthy Aspiration: Gratitude

Gratitude -- genuine appreciation for what is, rather than anxiety about what might be -- is a powerful force for health and resilience. Research consistently links gratitude practice to improved sleep, better immune function, lower inflammatory markers, and greater emotional wellbeing. Dr. Levy encourages a daily gratitude journal as a concrete practice.

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others." — Marcus Tullius Cicero

"Gratitude turns what we have into enough." — Anonymous

"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." — Marcel Proust

This guide is built on more than 30 years of research and clinical experience with the Pericardium Meridian, Circulation, and Brain. It is designed as a practical starting point -- select the steps that resonate with your lifestyle and begin incorporating them one at a time.

For a deeper understanding, revisit the foundational anatomy and physiology content, the emotional dimension, and the specific health condition addressed in earlier newsletters in this collection -- all for this same meridian.

Daily Affirmations

Read these aloud each morning while focusing your attention on your Pericardium:

Foods and Doctrine of Signatures

The Doctrine of Signatures is a centuries-old observation that plants and foods resembling a body organ often support that organ's health.

Doctrine of Signatures: Pericardium: chestnut, grapefruit, mango, strawberry. Brain: cauliflower, lion's mane mushroom, Macambo beans, walnut.

Culinary herbs to incorporate: Basil, black pepper, coriander, ginger, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, sage, turmeric

Herbal teas to support your Pericardium: Bacopa, dong quai, ginkgo, gotu kola, kava, lemon balm, oat grass

Healing juices: Beet, carrot, celery, huckleberry, mango, papaya

Nutritional Supplement Support

Dr. Levy recommends the following Standard Process supplements for Pericardium support. Clinical Kinesiology muscle testing can confirm which formulas are most needed in your individual case:

Brain: Minchex, Neuroplex, Neurotrophin PMG, Soybean Lecithin. Pericardium: Cardio-Plus, Cataplex B, Cyruta Plus.

Lifestyle Additions

Brain teasers, crossword puzzles, sudoku, vision therapy exercises, deep focus music, LENS neurofeedback, brain respiration practice, seven strawberries daily for circulation and brain health, buckwheat greens as rich rutin source for blood vessel integrity

Medications and Lifestyle Errors to Avoid

Drugs to avoid for Pericardium health: Drugs that damage the brain, drugs that damage circulation, drugs that damage the pericardium, NSAIDs including aspirin and ibuprofen

Lifestyle errors: Linear thinking only (disregarding critical and lateral thinking), under-hydration, constrictive clothing, smoking, physical and mental lethargy

Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications. This information is for educational purposes.

Healthy Aspiration: Perseverance

Perseverance -- sometimes called grit -- is the willingness to continue toward a goal despite obstacles, discouragement, and failure. Dr. Levy draws on the wisdom of writers, scientists, and philosophers to remind readers that every health journey has setbacks, and that consistent effort over time is the true determinant of outcomes. As Common Sense Media writes: "You don't have to be the wealthiest or the smartest; if you persevere, you can reach your goals."

"Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th." — Julie Andrews

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." — John Quincy Adams

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." — Mahatma Gandhi

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of it? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves." — Marie Curie

This guide is built on more than 30 years of research and clinical experience with the Triple Warmer Meridian and Thyroid. It is designed as a practical starting point -- select the steps that resonate with your lifestyle and begin incorporating them one at a time.

For a deeper understanding, revisit the foundational anatomy and physiology content, the emotional dimension, and the specific health condition addressed in earlier newsletters in this collection -- all for this same meridian.

Daily Affirmations

Read these aloud each morning while focusing your attention on your Triple Warmer:

Foods and Doctrine of Signatures

The Doctrine of Signatures is a centuries-old observation that plants and foods resembling a body organ often support that organ's health.

Doctrine of Signatures: Chayote squash, fava beans, beef steak fungus -- warming and metabolically supportive foods.

Culinary herbs to incorporate: Cilantro, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, jasmine, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, turmeric

Herbal teas to support your Triple Warmer: Ashwagandha, bladderwrack, burdock, coleus forskohlii, dandelion, ginseng, horsetail, kelp, sage

Healing juices: Alfalfa, celery, parsley, pumpkin, radish

Nutritional Supplement Support

Dr. Levy recommends the following Standard Process supplements for Triple Warmer support. Clinical Kinesiology muscle testing can confirm which formulas are most needed in your individual case:

Cataplex A, Metabol Complex, Organically Bound Minerals, Prolamine Iodine, Thyroid Complex, Thytrophin PMG

Lifestyle Additions

Warm Up Your Triple Warmer practice, thymus tapping, natural gargle solution, saline nose wash, thyroid cold wrap, post-meal walk to energize and balance metabolism

Medications and Lifestyle Errors to Avoid

Drugs to avoid for Triple Warmer health: Accutane (isotretinoin), amiodarone, antidepressants, barbiturates, Botox (botulinum toxin), fluoride, glucocorticoid medications, interferons, lithium, oral estrogens, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), urological medications

Lifestyle errors: Insufficient physical activity and deep breathing, eating large meals before lying down, ice-cold beverages especially with meals, GMOs, excessive alcohol, processed foods and refined carbohydrates

Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications. This information is for educational purposes.

Healthy Aspiration: Friendship

Friendship -- deep, loyal, self-sacrificing connection -- is one of the most powerful forces for health and longevity. Research consistently links social connection with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, better immune function, and longer life. Dr. Levy reminds readers that "wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow-ripening fruit" (Aristotle), and that true friendship resists time, distance, and silence.

"Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world." — John Evelyn

"Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit." — Aristotle

"One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood." — Seneca

"True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils." — Baltasar Gracian

This guide is built on more than 30 years of research and clinical experience with the Gallbladder Meridian. It is designed as a practical starting point -- select the steps that resonate with your lifestyle and begin incorporating them one at a time.

For a deeper understanding, revisit the foundational anatomy and physiology content, the emotional dimension, and the specific health condition addressed in earlier newsletters in this collection -- all for this same meridian.

Daily Affirmations

Read these aloud each morning while focusing your attention on your Gallbladder:

Foods and Doctrine of Signatures

The Doctrine of Signatures is a centuries-old observation that plants and foods resembling a body organ often support that organ's health.

Doctrine of Signatures: Avocado, papaya, pear -- pear and avocado shapes echo the gallbladder's anatomy.

Culinary herbs to incorporate: Celery seed, dandelion, horseradish, juniper berry, lemon juice, parsley, tarragon, turmeric

Herbal teas to support your Gallbladder: Burdock, chamomile, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, ginseng, sarsaparilla, wood betony, yarrow

Healing juices: Blackberry, chervil, fennel, gooseberry, radish

Nutritional Supplement Support

Dr. Levy recommends the following Standard Process supplements for Gallbladder support. Clinical Kinesiology muscle testing can confirm which formulas are most needed in your individual case:

AF Beta Food, Betacol, Cholacol, Livaplex, Spanish Black Radish

Lifestyle Additions

Castor oil pack over the liver-gallbladder area, liver-gallbladder flush, Spanish Black Radish for bile support, releasing resentment as a daily practice

Medications and Lifestyle Errors to Avoid

Drugs to avoid for Gallbladder health: Anticholinergic drugs, drugs affecting biliary tract and gallbladder, estrogen, antibiotics, cholesterol-lowering medicines, Ozempic (associated with gallbladder complications)

Lifestyle errors: Holding grudges and resentment, allowing yourself to remain indecisive, a diet high in shortening and vegetable oils, rich and fatty processed foods, pies and pastries made with shortening

Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications. This information is for educational purposes.

Healthy Aspiration: Respectfulness

Respect -- for ourselves and for others -- is the foundation of every healthy relationship and every functional community. As Aretha Franklin put it: "We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white -- it's our basic human right." Dr. Levy connects respectfulness to gallbladder health by noting that resentment and being "galled" are the primary emotional disruptors of this meridian, while respect and forgiveness support its function.

"We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white -- it's our basic human right." — Aretha Franklin

"Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?" — Confucius

"One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say." — Bryant H. McGill

"The final test of a gentleman is his respect for those who can be of no possible service to him." — William Lyon Phelps

This guide is built on more than 30 years of research and clinical experience with the Liver Meridian. It is designed as a practical starting point -- select the steps that resonate with your lifestyle and begin incorporating them one at a time.

For a deeper understanding, revisit the foundational anatomy and physiology content, the emotional dimension, and the specific health condition addressed in earlier newsletters in this collection -- all for this same meridian.

Daily Affirmations

Read these aloud each morning while focusing your attention on your Liver:

Foods and Doctrine of Signatures

The Doctrine of Signatures is a centuries-old observation that plants and foods resembling a body organ often support that organ's health.

Doctrine of Signatures: Beef steak fungus, rhubarb -- liver-shaped and deeply pigmented foods.

Culinary herbs to incorporate: Allspice, anise seed, cardamom, celery seed, dandelion, fenugreek, lemon juice, paprika, parsley, rosemary, thyme

Herbal teas to support your Liver: Artichoke leaf, astragalus, beet, burdock, dandelion, fennel, ginger, milk thistle, Oregon grape, schizandra, turmeric

Healing juices: Apricot, beet, dandelion, papaya, wheat grass

Nutritional Supplement Support

Dr. Levy recommends the following Standard Process supplements for Liver support. Clinical Kinesiology muscle testing can confirm which formulas are most needed in your individual case:

Antronex, Betafood, Hepatrophin PMG, LivCo, Livton Complex, Milk Thistle Forte, Spanish Black Radish

Lifestyle Additions

Treat your liver as you would an infant regarding exposures. Castor oil packs twice weekly. Healing herbs for liver detoxification. Liver-gallbladder flush twice yearly. Leafy greens: Swiss chard, kale, collard greens, mustard greens, bok choy. Release anger as a daily practice.

Medications and Lifestyle Errors to Avoid

Drugs to avoid for Liver health: Any and all medications that have known hepatotoxic effects -- consult Dr. Levy's linked article for the full list

Lifestyle errors: Alcohol, constrictive clothing, ice-cold beverages with meals, GMO foods, processed foods, eating large meals before sleeping

Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications. This information is for educational purposes.

Healthy Aspiration: Forgiveness

Forgiveness -- as described in Kathleen Griffin's Forgiveness Formula -- means completely letting go of the hurt someone has caused you, releasing the hold that narrative has had on your life, and getting rid of emotional baggage you no longer need to carry. It does not mean forgetting what happened, and it does not mean you did not learn from it. As Gandhi wrote: "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

"Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it." — Mark Twain

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." — Mahatma Gandhi

"When you forgive, you in no way change the past -- but you sure do change the future." — Bernard Meltzer

"Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth. Forgiveness gives you back the laughter and the lightness in your life." — Joan Lunden

Dr. Levy transitions to a simplified quarterly newsletter format, inviting readers to revisit the rich information published in the monthly series. This winter edition focuses on the first three meridians in the body clock -- Lung, Large Intestine, and Stomach.

January: Your Lungs

The January newsletters provide a complete picture of lung health. The anatomy newsletter covers lung anatomy and physiology in depth. The emotions newsletter explores the relationship between grief and the lung meridian. The health conditions newsletter addresses asthma from a holistic perspective. And the 2023 DIY guide gives you practical steps, herbs, teas, juices, and Standard Process nutrients to support your lungs at home.

February: Your Large Intestine

The February newsletters trace the large intestine from basic anatomy through its emotional dimension (condemnation), constipation and acupuncture, and a complete DIY self-care guide. Pay particular attention to the Bristol Stool Chart, the role of fiber and hydration, and the squatting position for healthy elimination.

March: Your Stomach

The March newsletters build from stomach anatomy to worry as the stomach's emotional correlate, stomach acid balance and Clinical Kinesiology, and a complete DIY stomach health guide. Cabbage juice, sauerkraut, and betaine HCl are recurring themes worth exploring.

Roasted Roots Medley

This winter's recipe combines deeply mineralizing root vegetables roasted with rosemary, lemon, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds. Ingredients: 6 organic carrots, 6 organic parsnips, 2 organic black radishes, 1 organic sweet potato, 1 organic yellow onion, fresh rosemary, lemon juice, 1.5 cups raw walnuts, 1 cup parsley, walnut oil, 0.5 cup pumpkin seeds, black pepper, and unprocessed salt such as Real Salt, Celtic salt, or Himalayan salt. Roast at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 40 minutes, flipping halfway. Garnish with lemon-soaked nuts and seeds.

Health Pioneers This Quarter

Gerald Litwack, PhD (b. Jan 11, 1929): Professor of biochemistry and Deputy Director of the Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology.

Paul Bragg (b. Feb 6, 1895): Known for the Bragg Health Crusades, deep breathing, water fasts, organic foods, juicing, and listening to one's body.

Dr. Theresa Dale, ND (b. Mar 16, 1947): Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Traditional Naturopathic Practitioner, and Founder of the California College of Natural Medicine.

This spring edition focuses on the next three meridians in the body clock -- Spleen-Pancreas, Heart, and Small Intestine -- with a beautiful spring poem by Dr. Levy and a vibrant Royal Red Salad recipe.

April: Your Spleen and Pancreas

The April series traces the spleen and pancreas from anatomy through the emotional terrain of low self-esteem, balanced blood sugar and food sensitivity testing, and a comprehensive DIY guide. Blood sugar balance, the "-ose" suffix rule for identifying hidden sugars, and apple cider vinegar before meals are key themes.

May: Your Heart

The May newsletters -- form one of the richest bodies of content in the series. The The Heart Sound Recorder is a non-invasive way to assess rate, rhythm, and tone. Joy as the heart's emotional domain and the DIY heart health guide round out the series. A key finding: erythritol has been linked to increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

June: Your Small Intestine

The small intestine -- the body's second brain via the enteric nervous system -- is explored across multiple newsletters. Serotonin production, GALT immune tissue, leaky gut, and feelings of abandonment as the emotional correlate are key themes. The DIY guide notably calls out Ozempic and Wegovy as drugs to avoid for small intestine health.

Royal Red Salad

A vibrant spring salad built around beets, tangerines, and red apples on a bed of baby greens, garnished with sesame seeds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds. Optional dressing: raspberry or apple cider vinegar with sunflower oil, cinnamon, and a touch of organic maple syrup. Serve with beets steamed and cooled.

Spring is here! When you see the Robin's egg blue sky and hear joyful chirping birds and feel the sunlight gently warming your skin -- you know that Spring is on its way. -- Dr. Susan L. Levy

Health Pioneers This Quarter

Royal Lee, DDS (b. Apr 7, 1895): Wholistic dentist, inventor of the Endocardiograph machine and Catalyn -- the world's first raw-food supplement.

Francis Marion Pottenger Jr., MD (b. May 29, 1901): Raw foods diet advocate who pioneered the use of crude adrenal cortex extracts for allergic states and depletion syndrome.

PK Warrier (b. Jun 5, 1921): Ayurvedic scholar and co-author of the five-volume treatise Indian Medicinal Plants. Received the Padma Bhushan national award in 2010.

Dr. Levy presents a quarterly series focused on broad nutrient categories. This edition covers phytonutrients -- plant-specific health-protective biochemicals that go beyond vitamins and minerals.

What Are Phytonutrients?

Phytonutrients are health-promoting biochemical substances found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, mushrooms, beans and legumes, edible flowers, and herbal medicines. They are a distinct category from vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) and from proteins, carbohydrates, and fats (macronutrients).

Research has shown phytonutrients can protect cellular components, rebuild damaged cells and tissues, minimize inflammation, and support organ function including the eyes. Studies link phytonutrient-rich diets to improved immunity, reduced cancer risk, cardiovascular protection, and defense against degenerative diseases including Alzheimer's, diabetes, glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and osteoporosis.

Eating the Rainbow

Red foods provide anthocyanidins, capsaicin, lycopene, and quercetin.

Orange foods provide various carotenes, hesperidin, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

Yellow foods also contain carotenoids, curcumin, hesperidin, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

Deep green foods contain epicatechins, flavonoids, lutein, sulforaphane, and zeaxanthin.

Blue, indigo, violet, and black foods provide anthocyanidins, ellagic acid, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and resveratrol.

Black foods (often dark purple): black beans, blackberries, black currants, black mushrooms, black peppercorns, black rice, black seed (nigella sativa), black sesame seeds, black tea, and seaweeds including arame, nori, and wakame.

White and brown foods: daikon radish, eggs, whole grains (amaranth, brown rice, oats, millet, quinoa, sorghum, teff), jicama, parsnips, dairy, mushrooms, and nuts including cashews, filberts, pecans, and walnuts.

Standard Process Support for Phytonutrients

Betafood, Catalyn and Catalyn GF, Cataplex B and Cataplex B-GF, Cataplex B-Core, Chlorophyll Complex, Cruciferous Complete, Cyruta Plus, Garlic, SP Cleanse and SP Green Food, SP Power Mix.

Rainbow Sauteed Vegetables

A multi-color saute built around lion's mane, button, and shiitake mushrooms with carrots, snap peas, red and yellow bell peppers, and purple cabbage, cooked in coconut oil or grass-fed butter and served over quinoa, brown rice, or millet. Garnish with Italian parsley.

Health Pioneers This Quarter

V.E. Irons (b. Jan 23, 1895): Founder of Natural Law, GreenLife, and the National Health Federation -- a father of detoxification and self-cleansing programs.

Eckhart Tolle (b. Feb 16, 1948): Spiritual teacher and best-selling author of The Power of Now and A New Earth.

Ann Wigmore (b. Mar 4, 1909): American holistic health practitioner, naturopath, and raw food advocate.

This quarterly covers vitamins -- their biological purpose, the critical distinction between natural food-based vitamins and synthetic isolates, and the consequences of deficiency.

Why Your Body Needs Vitamins

Vitamins function as co-enzymes and catalysts for metabolism, digestion, and absorption. They do not provide calories but are essential for using and metabolizing the macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) that do. Vitamins come in two categories: water-soluble (vitamin C complex and B complex) and fat-soluble (vitamins A, E, D, F, and K).

Vitamin C: Complex vs. Ascorbic Acid

The biologically active vitamin C complex is not the same as ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is an antioxidant that occurs within the vitamin C complex to protect it -- it is not the vitamin itself. Commercial ascorbic acid can be legally labeled "vitamin C," but this is misleading. Only a complete vitamin C complex, containing all of its naturally occurring components, is fully beneficial. Dr. Levy's recommended source: Cataplex C by Standard Process.

Vitamin B: The Importance of Completeness

Naturally occurring B complex contains numerous factions that work together. A food-based supplement with no synthetic additions is essential. Dr. Levy's preference: Cataplex B-Core.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins: A, E, D, F, K

Vitamin D can be produced in the skin with adequate sun exposure and a diet rich in quality nutrients. Vitamin E, per Dr. Royal Lee's 1955 and 1963 publications, is a complex -- not just the tocopherols alone. The whole food source of the vitamin E complex is gluten-free wheat germ oil. Vitamin F refers to the essential fatty acids (ALA and LA).

Deficiency Consequences

Vitamin A deficiency: skin problems, liver and kidney problems, cataracts, dental cavities, pneumonia. Vitamin B deficiency: cataracts, colds, neurological problems, neuropathy, memory issues, early dementia (especially B12), colitis, constipation, all categories of cardiovascular dysfunction. Vitamin D deficiency: acne, arthritis, infections, psoriasis, rickets. Vitamin E deficiency: reproductive system problems, infertility, cardiovascular issues, dental decay, hip and gluteal pain. Vitamin F deficiency: dry eyes, allergies, poor calcium metabolism, heart arrhythmias, inflammation, rickets, tuberculosis.

Dr. Royal Lee documented 147 deficiency diseases in his Foundations of Trophotherapy, Volume II.

Standard Process Vitamin Support

Catalyn and Catalyn GF, Cataplex A, Cataplex B and Cataplex B-GF, Cataplex B-Core, Cataplex C, Cataplex D, Cataplex E, Cataplex F Tablets, Wheat Germ Oil.

Health Pioneers This Quarter

John Anthony Amaro (b. Apr 1, 1974): Creator of the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture Inc. Combined natural medicine with manual chiropractic techniques.

Dr. Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg, MD (b. May 9, 1905): Founder of homo-toxicology -- the study of how toxins affect human health.

PK Warrier (b. Jun 5, 1921): Ayurvedic scholar and co-author of the five-volume treatise Indian Medicinal Plants. Received the Padma Bhushan national award in 2010.

This quarterly covers nutrient minerals -- the most basic biochemical building blocks of the body, derived directly from the earth. Every cell, tissue, organ, and system depends on an adequate and diverse supply of minerals to maintain structural integrity and function.

Why Your Body Needs Minerals

Approximately 40 naturally occurring chemical elements are measurable components of the human body. As a whole, nutrient minerals comprise about 6.1% of average body weight. Calcium alone accounts for 2% of body weight, as it is involved in all bones. Every cell, tissue, and organ requires minerals for structural integrity. When tissues begin to deteriorate, lose substance, or diminish in function, mineral deficiency must be addressed.

Key Mineral Deficiency Consequences

Calcium: Depression, high blood pressure, heart rate irregularities, hormonal imbalances, muscle cramping, osteopenia, osteoporosis, fractures, dental cavities, cracked teeth. Dr. Levy recommends Calcium Lactate for its high bioavailability.

Potassium: Severe deficiency or excess is a medical emergency, often precipitated by diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and blood pressure medications. Non-life-threatening deficiency: abdominal bloating, colitis, dry skin, acne, insomnia, muscular weakness, cardiovascular problems, diminished adrenal and kidney function. Dehydration can cause potassium to plummet.

Magnesium: Required for more than 300 critical biochemical enzyme reactions. Deficiency: sleep disturbances, mood disorders, thought processing difficulties, muscle spasms and twitches, fatigue, headaches, brain fog, and cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation. Also impairs vitamin D synthesis.

Organ-Specific Mineral Needs

Pancreas and insulin production: Chromium and Zinc. Pineal gland and liver: Zinc. Reproductive glands: Zinc. Pituitary gland: Manganese and Calcium. Thyroid (thyroxine production): Iodine, plus Selenium, Zinc, and Iron. Adrenal glands: Potassium, Copper, Magnesium, Selenium, and Zinc. Thymus and immune function: Copper, Zinc, and Selenium in proper balance.

Dr. Levy's Personal Daily Mineral Protocol

Dr. Levy personally takes and recommends Calcium Lactate, E-Z Mg (containing Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Potassium), and Trace Minerals-B12 by Standard Process, which contains a broad spectrum of trace minerals plus a small amount of B12.

Standard Process Mineral Support

Calcifood and Calcifood Powder, Calcium Lactate, E-Manganese, E-Z Mg, Ferrofood, Magnesium Lactate, Manganese B12, Organically Bound Minerals, Phosfood Liquid, Prolamine Iodine Plus, Trace Minerals-B12, Zinc Chelate.

Magic Mineral Broth

A deeply mineralizing broth built from carrots, red potatoes, sweet potatoes, yellow onions, leek, garnet yam, celery, kombu, garlic, allspice berries, bay leaves, parsley, and black peppercorns. Simmer uncovered for at least two hours in a 12-quart stockpot. The longer the simmer, the more nutrient-dense the broth. Strain, add unprocessed sea salt, and serve. Stores refrigerated for 5 to 7 days or frozen for 4 months. Kombu can be found in the Asian section of most grocery stores.

Health Pioneers This Quarter

Joseph Mercola (b. Jul 8, 1954): Osteopathic physician and alternative medicine proponent.

Jerome Irving Rodale (b. Aug 9, 1905): Publisher of Organic Farming and Gardening and Prevention magazine. Early advocate of sustainable agriculture and organic farming.

Erin Elizabeth Finn: Investigative journalist of Health Nut News and proponent of holistic health.